India vs New Zealand 2019: Short Boundaries Forced Us to Bowl Short - Khaleel Ahmed

India’s greenhorn fast bowler Khaleel Ahmed revealed that the small boundaries in the second T20I at Auckland forced the Indian bowlers to bowl short. The visitor’s bowlers were able to restrict the hosts to 158 runs after Kane Williamson won the toss and decided to bat first. Krunal Pandya scalped three wickets and gave a perfect start to the Indian team.

New Zealand was tottering at 50-4 and had their backs against the wall. Colin de Grandhomme was able to bail his team out of the trouble with a fighting fifty. However, India’s pace battery of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Khaleel Ahmed bowled accurately in the death overs.

Ahmed bounced back strongly.

Kumar conceded 29 runs in his four overs and picked up one wicket. On the other hand, the rookie fast bowler Khaleel Ahmed scalped two wickets and conceded 27 runs in his allotted four overs. Khaleel Ahmed had leaked 48 runs in the first T20I and hence it was a good comeback from the Rajasthan pacer.

Khaleel said in the post-match press conference, “Because the ground was small, we deliberately bowled back of a length to curtail boundaries. We had to shorten the length as conventional swing was not on offer. We showed a lot of improvement today and hope to improve further in the next game.”

Khaleel Ahmed revealed that the stand-in skipper Rohit Sharma came up with the plan to cut down the angles. Thus, the bowlers came up with the correct execution.

“Rohit bhai told us about which are the areas batsmen will target and how to cut the angles,” the Rajasthan speedster added.

On the other hand, it is not easy to bowl in the New Zealand conditions. The fast bowlers need to bowl against the wind from one end as all the New Zealand stadium are open except the Westpac Stadium.

“One difficulty that we face in New Zealand while bowling is running into the wind which is a rarity elsewhere. But then these are little things that you learn and it’s a great experience.”

Meanwhile, India now has the impetus on their side after winning the second T20I at Auckland. Hence, the tourists will aim to clinch their second series in New Zealand.

“We have played in Hamilton and there won’t be any surprise element as far as the pitch is concerned. Also having won the second game gives us confidence going into the final match. We have rectified some of our mistakes from the first game and hopefully a few which are there will also be corrected,” he said.

The decider of the series will take place at Hamilton on 10th February.